CMCSS Director of Schools, B. J. Worthington, right, draws a key from a bucket held by Wyatt Johnson's Bill Powers at Saturday's 8th Annual Pass and Go event. More than 100 students with purple keys then had a chance to win a new car. Tony Centonze / The Leaf-Chronicle

Barnes and Noble Hendersonville store manager Brett Cain, New Providence Middle School seventh grader Jensie Bigler, Montgomery County Commissioner John Gannon, seventh grade English teacher Taylor Plummer, Director of Schools B.J. Worthington and New Providence principal Laura Barnett. Jensie was the winner of the Hendersonville Barnes and Noble “My Favorite Teacher” essay competition in which she wrote about Ms. Plummer. Her essay will next be judged at the regional level. Submitted

Capt. David Crockarell, the District 1 commander, gives Mayor Kim McMillan and Director of Schools for CMCSS, Dr. B.J. Worthington, the first tour of the completed District 1 precinct on Jan. 6. Autumn Allison/The Leaf-Chronicle

Director of Schools, B.J. Worthington welcomed local school and business leaders to Business After Schools, an event designed to showcase the benefits of the STEM program, which helps students apply math and science to real-world problem-solving.
FOR THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/TONY CENTONZE

BJ Worthington, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System director of schools, reads to a second grade class Friday at Pisgah Elementary as they celebrate Read Across America.
THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/GREG WILLIAMSON
BJ Worthington, Clarksville- Montgomery County School System director of schools, reads to a second grade class Friday at Pisgah Elementary as they celebrated Read Across America. THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/GREG WILLIAMS, THE LEAF-CHRONICLE/GREG WILLIAMS

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Director of Schools, B.J. Worthington welcomed local school and business leaders to Business After Schools, an event designed to showcase the benefits of the STEM program, which helps students apply math and science to real-world problem-solving.
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After four years as the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Director, BJ Worthington announced his retirement on Wednesday.

His last day will be Jun. 30, 2017.

Worthington has been with CMCSS for 31 years as a science teacher, school administrator and chief academic officer.

“There is never a perfect time to walk away, but I feel it is the right decision for me at this time," Worthington said, "This school system and community have been very kind to me and my family throughout my entire career and we certainly feel blessed. This district has so much of which to be proud and is poised for even greater future accomplishments. This is a district in which the community should take great pride.”

Worthington’s legacy includes a uniquely comprehensive integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) throughout all schools in the system. He has overseen the development of seven high school academies, created opportunities based on student interest and workplace need. The academies have been one facet of his commitment to graduate students from CMCSS college- and career-ready.

Under Worthington, CMCSS was the number one school district in the state for the academic growth of its students. He also has worked closely with county government leaders responsible for funding the CMCSS budget, ensuring a balanced budget was presented each of his past four years as schools director. Meanwhile, the system has witnessed phenomenal growth, increasing its student enrollment numbers by more than 1,000 from last year to this. Students this school year total 33,569.

He has focused heavily on the development of leaders within the organization, believing that all 4,700 employees have the ability and potential to lead from where they are planted.

In 2014, “Education Week” identified Worthington as a “Leader to Learn From” and featured him in a special published report. He was among 16 education leaders chosen from a pool of 900 across the nation as a forward-thinking leader.

Worthington is a professional presenter in school leadership for the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) and has presented for the National School Boards Association, the National Staff Development Conference and a number of state and national education seminars. He earned his doctorate from Tennessee State University. He is married to Jill Worthington. They have two children.

"B.J. Worthington has been an exceptional Director of Schools. He listens, he responds," CMCSS School Board Chair Anne Murtha said, "He always keeps the student at the center of his focus."

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board will discuss its plans to begin the process of filling the position at its next scheduled meeting.